2023 Oscars: Best International Feature Predictions
Predicting the eventual five Oscar nominees for Best International Feature is made difficult by the three-step process that began after the October 3 deadline for countries to submit entries. To be part of the selection process for this category, which was called Best Foreign Language Film before 2020, requires a great deal of dedication. (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2023 Oscars Best International Feature predictions.)
In the days following the deadline for submissions, the academy determines each film’s eligibility. Then the several hundred academy members who serve on the International Feature screening committee are divided into groups and required to watch all their submissions over a six-week period that ends in early December. Their top 15 vote-getters will make it to the next round. That list of semi-finalists was revealed on December 21, 2022.
These 15 films will be made available to the entire academy membership who can cast ballots for the final five nominees provided they attest to having watched all the entries. The nominations in this (and the other 22 competitive categories) will be announced on January 24. All voters will get access to the five nominees and can vote for the winner, which will be revealed on the 95th Academy Awards on March 12.
Since the competitive category was introduced in 1957, European films have dominated by winning 53 times. Compare that to five victories for films from Asia, three from each of Africa and South America, and one apiece from Canada and Mexico.
In 2020 and 2021, a record 93 countries submitted entries in the International Feature Film race. That was up by six from 2019, when the category was still called Best Foreign-Language Film, and eclipses the record 92 submissions in 2018 and 2022.
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UPDATED: December 21, 2022
Leading Contenders (in alphabetical order by country)
Austria: “Corsage” Directed by: Marie Kreutzer
France: “Saint Omer” Directed by: Alice Diop
Germany: “All Quiet on the Western Front” Directed by: Edward Berger
Mexico: “Bardo” Directed by: Alejandro G. Inarritu
Poland: “EO” Directed by: Jerzy Skolimowski
South Korea: “Decision to Leave” Directed by: Park Chan-wook
Strong Contenders (in alphabetical order)
Argentina: “Argentina, 1985” Directed by: Santiago Mitre
Belgium: “Close” Directed by: Lukas Dhont
India: “Last Film Show” Directed by: Pan Nalin
Morocco: “The Blue Caftan” Directed by: Mario Martone
Sweden: “Cairo Conspiracy” Directed by: Tarik Saleh
Possible Contenders (in alphabetical order)
Cambodia: “Return to Seoul” Directed by: Davy Chou
Denmark: “Holy Spider” Directed by: Ali Abbasi
Ireland, “The Quiet Girl” Directed by: Colm Bairéad
Pakistan: “Joyland” Directed by: Saim Sadiq
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